Category Archives: Research

Contrastive approaches in corpus linguistics research

Dr Niall Curry, Manchester Metropolitan University

October 11, 18:00 (Madrid time) / 17:00 (UK time)

This talk is part of the Corpus linguistics & applied linguistics research 2023 online event.

Registration: https://umurcia.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_d68rw3V_TnOGNWDg6sXHnw

Abstract

Comparability is a core criterion underpinning corpus linguistics research. From using a reference corpus to determine keywords to comparing across time, space, and language, corpus linguistics often draws on different data sets to tell us what is special about the language we are studying. This view has become so naturalised within corpus linguistics methodologies that discussions of comparability in corpus research are quite uncommon. This challenge of addressing comparability is long-standing in fields like contrastive analysis, which came to prominence and fell to decline owing to advances and limitations in methodological approaches, in part related to issues of comparability. In its most recent rise, as corpus-based contrastive linguistics, research has sought to merge contrastive and corpus linguistics approaches to address the weaknesses identified in contrastive analysis methodologies and enhance perspectives on comparability in corpus linguistics research. Merging contrastive and corpus linguistics approaches, this talk presents case studies with a view to interrogating issues of comparability in corpus analysis and establishing theoretical bases from which to draw meaningful comparisons across multilingual discourses. Specifically, the talk sheds light on the methodological pitfalls we encounter in comparing corpora representing a range of contexts and variables, the impact that our methods of analysis can have on our findings, and the importance of contextually situating contrastive studies from epistemological and ontological perspectives. The findings of the talk are intended to offer points of reflection for anyone applying contrastive approaches in corpus linguistics research, both across languages and across language varieties.

Dr Niall Curry is a Senior Lecturer in TESOL and Applied Linguistics within the Department of Languages, Information and Communications, at Manchester Metropolitan University. Currently, he is researching language relating to global crises and global issues. He is particularly interested in investigating how knowledge of these issues and crises is socially and discursively constructed across contexts, times, languages, and cultures with a view to understanding better how global issues vary across local contexts, and for international and local audiences. His areas of focus include (but are not limited to) issues such as climate, health, economics, and education. In parallel, Niall is conducting research on applied linguistics and TESOL related issues, spanning foci on register, genre, metadiscourse, materials development, and digital pedagogies.

You can check out the 2021 and 2022 talks here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKjKIIQL6u1mXD2V9ZaT-_Q/featured

This online event is organized by the Universidad de Murcia and the E020-07 research group (Lenguajes de especialidad, corpus lingüísticos y lingüística inglesa aplicada a la ingeniería del conocimiento).

Coordination: Prof Pascual Pérez-Paredes & Dr Carlos Ordoñana Guillamón

Multiple correspondence analysis and corpus linguistics research

Dr Isobelle Clarke, Lancaster University

October 25, 17:30 (Madrid time) / 16:30 (UK time)

This talk is part of the Corpus linguistics & applied linguistics research 2023 online event.

Registration: https://umurcia.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_s0aPEXAFTQe_App0qS7Erg

Abstract

In this talk, I will describe what Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) is and how it can be used for the Multi-Dimensional Analysis of short texts, as well as for corpus-assisted discourse analysis in an approach called Keyword Co-occurrence Analysis, drawing on the results of my own research on tweets (Clarke and Grieve, 2019; Clarke, 2022) and discourses of Islam in the UK press (Clarke et al. 2021; 2022). I will then go on to demonstrate how the results can be used to track communicative functions and discourses over time in diachronic analyses. Finally, I will discuss the limitations of MCA in these tasks.

Dr Isobelle Clarke‘s research interests include corpus linguistics, forensic linguistics, sociolinguistics and news discourse and discourse analysis. Her previous research covers language variation on social media, especially Twitter, and authorship analysis. Her current research examines the representation of Islam in the press and second learner language and spoken language. Dr Clarke received a Leverhulme’s early career researcher fellowship to investigate anti-science discourses, such as anti-vaccination discourse, climate change denials, and anti-GMO discourse.

You can check out the 2021 and 2022 talks here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKjKIIQL6u1mXD2V9ZaT-_Q/featured

Coordination: Prof Pascual Pérez-Paredes & Dr Carlos Ordoñana Guillamón

Using Corpus Linguistics to Interpret the Law

Dr Jesse Egbert, Northern Arizona University

October 18, 18:00 (Madrid time) / 17:00 (UK time)

This talk is part of the Corpus linguistics & applied linguistics research 2023 online event.

Registration link: https://umurcia.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uAmw72l1T-en-4y0LnZffg

Abstract

In order to interpret the meaning of ambiguous or vague words and grammatical structures used in a law, American judges have traditionally used their own intuition about ‘ordinary’ meaning, with the occasional reference to etymology, a dictionary, or a set of prescriptive ‘canons of construction’. However, some judges and legal scholars are now beginning to see that corpus linguistics is a superior method for learning about meaning. I will give an overview of the ‘law and corpus linguistics’ movement in the U.S., using examples from recent court cases related to the original meaning of the word ’emolument’ (Blumenthal v. Trump), and the ordinary meaning of ‘and’ in coordinated lists following a negated verb (Pulsifer v. United States).

Jesse Egbert is Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics at Northern Arizona University. Jesse specializes in register variation, particularly in academic and online writing. His research also explores issues related to quantitative linguistic research, including corpus design and representativeness and methodological triangulation. He is General Editor of the international peer reviewed journal Register Studies. He has authored or edited, among others, Triangulating Methodological Approaches in Corpus Linguistic Research (Routledge, 2016), Register Variation Online (Cambridge, 2018), and Using Corpus Methods to Triangulate Linguistic Analysis (Routledge, 2019). He has been an active researcher in the area of statutory interpretation, with related publications in the BYU Law Review and The Routledge Handbook of Corpus Approaches to Discourse Analysis.

You can check out the 2021 and 2022 talks here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKjKIIQL6u1mXD2V9ZaT-_Q/featured

Coordination: Prof Pascual Pérez-Paredes & Dr Carlos Ordoñana Guillamón

Corpus linguistics and applied linguistics research 2023

This is a free event. Registration links provided for each of the talks below. After registration, you’ll receive an email with the webinar link.

Contrastive approaches in corpus linguistics research

Dr Niall Curry, Manchester Metropolitan University

October 11, 18:00 (Madrid time) / 17:00 (UK time)

Registration link: https://umurcia.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_d68rw3V_TnOGNWDg6sXHnw

Check out abstract and recording here.

Using Corpus Linguistics to Interpret the Law

Dr Jesse Egbert, Northern Arizona University

October 18, 18:00 (Madrid time) / 17:00 (UK time)

Registration link: https://umurcia.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uAmw72l1T-en-4y0LnZffg

Check out abstract and recording here.

Multiple correspondence analysis and corpus linguistics research

Dr Isobelle Clarke, Lancaster University

October 25, 17:30 (Madrid time) / 16:30 (UK time)

Abstract and recording here.

Registration link: https://umurcia.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_s0aPEXAFTQe_App0qS7Erg

The Core Metadata Schema for L2 data: Collaborative efforts towards improved data findability, metadata quality and study comparability in L2 research

Dr Magali Paquot, UCLouvain

October 30, 18:00 (Madrid time) / 17:00 (UK time)

Registration link: https://umurcia.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_a6Wkw7llSG2HrvJ9yIGKvQ

Abstract and recording here.

You can check out the 2021 and 2022 talks here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKjKIIQL6u1mXD2V9ZaT-_Q/featured

Coordination: Prof Pascual Pérez-Paredes & Dr Carlos Ordoñana Guillamón

ReCALL journal new Impact Factor

ReCALL has gone up from 4.235 to 4.5 IF and up from 13 to 7 in linguistics and 3 in language and linguistics.

ReCALL publishes research articles that report on empirical studies (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods), as well as occasional rigorous meta-analyses or other syntheses or surveys, and papers that make substantial contributions to theoretical, epistemological or methodological debates.

Typical subjects for submissions include foreign or second language learning and development in technology-enhanced learning environments and practical applications at developmental stage, with firm theoretical anchoring in CALL; evaluative studies of the potential of technological advances in the delivery of language learning materials and enactment of language learning activities; and discussions of theory, policy or strategy at institutional and disciplinary levels with clear connections to technology-mediated language learning.

The General Editor of ReCALL is Prof Alex Boulton, Alex Boulton, Université de Lorraine, France

Associate editors

David Barr, University of Ulster, UK

Ana Gimeno-Sanz, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Spain

Pascual Pérez-Paredes, Universidad de Murcia, Spain

Cornelia Tschichold, Swansea University, UK

Shona Whyte, Université Côte d’Azur, France

New book chapter: Using corpus linguistics and grounded theory to explore EMI stakeholders’ discourse

Using corpus linguistics and grounded theory to explore EMI stakeholders’ discourse

Niall Curry & Pascual Pérez-Paredes

In Qualitative Research Methods in English Medium Instruction for Emerging Researchers. Theory and Case Studies of Contemporary Research.
Edited by Samantha M. Curle, Jack K. H. Pun Routledge.

Typically, interview data thematic analyses employ common-sense approaches to thematic analysis (King et al., 2018). Such an approach necessitates that the researcher identifies distinctive themes and observes some degree of repetition of themes. As the process involves multiple stages of description, interpretation and synthesis and requires that analyses consider themes within and across a number of texts, there is a value in investigating the affordances of corpus linguistic approaches to interview analysis, given that corpus linguistics shares these considerations.

This chapter shows how corpus linguistics methodology can offer a nuanced approach to thematic coding when used in synchrony with frameworks, such as critical grounded theory (Hadley, 2017) and the ROAD-MAPPING framework (Dafouz & Smit, 2020). We argue that the use of keyword analysis to generate initial field codes for thematic analysis can reveal specific points in interviews and focus groups in which important themes are discursively constructed. We draw on a number of prior studies (e.g. Curry & Pérez-Paredes, 2021; Pérez-Paredes & Curry, forthcoming) with a view to demonstrating the reflexivity and value of this approach as a way to make sense of complex data, inform the use of existing analytical and theoretical approaches on EMI (Dafouz & Smit, 2020) and teacher identity (Martel & Wang, 2014). Overall, we reinforce the view that corpus linguistics research methods can inform a systemic view of mixed methods research (Hashemi, 2019), arguing that the use of advanced techniques of data analysis can favour a dynamic interpretation of thematic analyses (King et al., 2018).

Looking for EU citizens working in Spain

Freedom of movement at play: EU citizens’ identity and transnational discourses (FOM@PLAY) is a project funded by the European Union that sets out to facilitate the dissemination of alternative discourses on ‘migration’ within EU countries.

We are looking for EU citizens working in Spain, preferably in Murcia, Granada or Aragón. We’re seeking to interview them about their experiences and opinions on freedom of movement and internal ‘migration’ within the EU.

The interviews will be video recorded and transcribed. They will take place in three EU countries: France, Italy and Spain. They will form a corpus of great value for researchers in areas such as critical discourse analysis, sociology and migration studies. We will also use excerpts from these interviews on social media to raise awareness of freedom of movement in the EU and create educational materials aimed at raising awareness of freedom of movement in the European Union from the perspective of EU citizens.

FOM@PLAY aims to contribute to the dissemination of alternative discourses on the mobility of people that help to prevent racism and discrimination against migrants and people coming from other countries.

If you are interested in participating in Spain, please contact us at fomatplay@um.es or through our Twitter account @fomatplay and we will inform you.

Your participation is essential to enrich the democratic values of our society and to understand the perspective of EU citizens, rarely represented in the media and political discourse.